ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the Mayor and Corporation Counsel with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending Chapter 18, Article IV (OPERATION OF VIDEO GAMING TERMINALS) of the CODE of the City of Peoria.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The City of Peoria regulates and licenses video gaming terminals. New applicants must generally wait two (2) years before applying for a video gaming license and must prove that they generated at least 80 percent of their revenue from food and beverage sales during that waiting period. The existing ordinance provides an exemption from the food and beverage sales requirement for fraternal and veterans establishments, as well as bowling alleys.
Red Hat Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Gone Axe Throwing has expressed interest in obtaining a video gaming license. However, Gone Axe Throwing primarily generates its revenue from fees it charges for patrons to engage in axe throwing. Gone Axe Throwing has represented that it cannot meet the 80% food and beverage sale requirement to qualify for a traditional video gaming license.
The proposed amendment would expand the food and beverage sales exemption to "indoor entertainment facilities." The amendment would preserve the existing exemption for bowling alleys while also permitting video gaming licenses for other similar indoor entertainment facilities, such as Gone Axe Throwing.
On September 8, 2020 the Liquor Commission discussed the proposed amendment to the video gaming ordinance. The owner of Red Hat Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Gone Axe Throwing appeared at the meeting and gave additional information on his business. Feedback from the Commission was generally brief and positive. The Commission voted unanimously to support the proposed amendment.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: None.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City will expand video gaming licensing to additional indoor entertainment facilities.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City will maintain its current video gaming licensing scheme.
ALTERNATIV...
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